A mandated study was made of Virginia's roles in child day care regulation and the promotion of high quality care. The primary objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the state's goals in regulating child day care and determine whether changes to the regulatory system were needed to meet those goals; and (2) review the state's role in…

Discusses a book by James E. Levine on "Day Care and the Public Schools, Profiles of Five Communities." Criticizes Levine's approach as emphasizing quantity and low cost and giving little attention to quality. (GC)

Summarizes recent development in early childhood "educare" in New Zealand. Educare is a continuum of early childhood services which include kindergartens, play centers, child care (day care) centers, and Nga Kohanga Reo (Maori Language Nests). Also addresses issues facing these services. (BB)

This background paper discusses the current system of child care finance in Washington State and analyzes options for improvement. It describes prominent characteristics of the early childhood care and education system, findings relating program quality to staff/child ratios and staff educational levels, characteristics of quality, parent…

Maintains that assumptions which are fundamental to sound day care program development and implementation relate to the family first and to the needs of children second. Parental involvement, sources and types of financial support, and the needs of individuals should be of concern to policymakers. (Author/DB)

This book presents a comprehensive collection of information concerning different forms of child care, the quality and availability of care, the functioning of the child care market, and programs that the government uses to support this market. Following an introduction that outlines the negative consequences of splitting education and child care,…

In response to the growing need for day care in Tennessee, the Governor's Task Force on Day Care was appointed to encourage the development of more and better day care opportunities for the children of working parents. Three committees were established to develop recommendations. The Access to Day Care Committee identified the types of day care in…

The four sections of this final report, which follow the initial executive summary, present outcomes of Massachusetts' 2-year effort to strengthen and expand high quality, affordable day care services. Section I focuses on the supply of and demand for day care services in the state. Section II explores aspects of public and private partnerships,…

The Secretary of Labor's 1988 Task Force on Child Care offers its general findings in this report. The report states that the Federal government is already addressing the child care issue on a large scale. State and local governments are dynamic in their response to the child care challenge and will probably respond even more aggressively in the…

Unprecedented increases in the labor force participation of mothers with children below the age of 3 years, a largely unmonitored supply of out-of-home child care for infants and toddlers which has not kept up with the demand, and the potential for serious developmental damage to children who do not get adequate, individualized care in the…

Alternative early childhood education policies that states might consider are discussed in this five-part report. Likely consequences, and pros and cons of each alternative are outlined. Section I presents various funding options, including the funding of existing programs, voucher mechanisms, project grants, and formula funding. Section II…

Pistoia City, Italy, has an articulated and complex system of services and educational opportunities for young children. The major tenet underlying the system is the development of a "child-friendly" city project, an educational project rooted in community and giving children a sense of belonging, and promoting the identity of the…

Describes the context for early childhood education and care in South Africa. Focuses on the principles directing program and service delivery, the development of a training framework, the role of lobbying and advocacy networks, strategies for improving the quality and increasing quantity of provision, and the role of non-governmental…

A hearing was held to consider the Act for Better Child Care Services of 1989, also known as the ABC Bill. Testimony was received from parents, project directors, program Managers, academics, research directors, corporate officers, the Governors of Vermont and Maryland, the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, and the U.S. Senators of Maryland.…

Designed to improve Massachusetts' children's healthy development and success in school, this plan discusses high quality early care and education programs that are responsive to the needs and preferences of families, and that provide parenting education and family literacy and support. The goal of the plan is to create a coordinated system of…